Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market

Thursday 16th November until Sunday 17th December 2017

It was announced on Thursday 5th April 2017 that the Cathedral is to take over running the Christmas market on the Cathedral Green this year. The market, which will be re-orientated to focus on the West Front of the Cathedral, will still have a ‘Continental’ feel but will also boast more opportunities to support local businesses and performers.

Opening times

The Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market will open on Thursday 16th November 2017 at 15.00, followed by an official launch later that evening.

Following the opening night, the market will open until Sunday 17th December, trading between the following times:

Monday to Wednesday: 10.00-19.00

Thursday to Saturday: 10.00-21.00

Sunday: 11.00-17.00

Stalls and entertainment

We’re looking forward to an exciting mix of local and continental traders, showcasing the best of festive food, crafts and gifts. New for 2017 will be the west front bandstand.

A list of traders, a map of the market and information about the Cathedral’s Christmas programme of services and events will be available soon.

Coleton Aglow ~ Kingswear

Why not wrap up warm and explore the garden at Coleton Fishacre as it is aglow with festive light? The streams, beautiful trees and exotic features of the garden are lit for Christmas in spectacular fashion and the house is ready for a 1920s Christmas party this December.

The garden at night:
A walk through the garden during Coleton aglow truly delights. The route leads you between twinkling fairy lights down past the front of the house to the Rill Garden where the stream through the centre of the garden is filled with light and the colours of the summer recreated with uplighters. Down through the centre of the garden the ponds and trees are awash with warm and colourful light, and above your heads disco balls glitter. You’ll pass the Quarry where a giant cocktail glass spills champagne bubbles, reminiscent of the party taking place in the house. At the bottom of the garden you’ll reach the tree fern glade, before coming back up the garden to the summer house, where you can take a moment to admire the views across the route you’ve just walked and see the wave of lights cascade down Cathedral Bank.

This walk takes about 40 minutes, after which you can warm up in the gazebo with a mulled wine. There is also a short route which leads past the house to the gazebo and back, if you aren’t up for walking the entire route or you’re looking to avoid steps and steep hills. Dogs are welcome in the garden on short leads.

Christmas in the house:
The Christmas decorations this year have been inspired by a Christmas party which took place at Coleton Fishacre in 1929. The D’Oyly Carte family built Coleton Fishacre as their country home, and spent their time here relaxing and entertaining in style. When you visit the house you’ll see preparations underway for a glamourous 1920s Christmas party just waiting for the guests’ arrival. You’ll be able to try on your party outfit in the handling room, listen to party music playing in the Saloon and there’ll be parlour games in the Sitting Room such as Gilbert and Sullivan charades.

Dates, times and booking:
Coleton aglow is running on Fridays – Sundays from 1 to 17 December and Wednesdays – Sundays from 20 to 31 December. There are two time slots available to book for your visit: 5-6.30pm or 5.30-7pm.

Normal admissions apply for Coleton aglow, and entry is free for National Trust members and under-fives.

Booking is essential; please call 01803 842382 to book. Places are limited: when you book, you will be allocated a parking space. You will need to bring proof of booking with you to be granted admission to the car park.

Totnes Christmas Late Night Shopping – Totnes

The 2017 Christmas Shopping In Totnes will be held on the 5th, 12th and 19th of December. Now in its 6th year in its new format, the event has become safer and is the showcase event for Totnes High Street, we might be biased though! Come and enjoy a great evenings shopping supporting Totnes businesses and restaurants and you of course have the additional creative street traders to tempt you as well.

PARK AND RIDE provided by BOB THE BUS

Please remember the FREE (donations taken on board for Bob the Bus Charity) Park and Ride service is available from Follaton House 5:30 till 10 pm. Two buses will run every 15 minutes stopping at the Rotherfold and from 7pm also at the Seven Stars for both drop off and pick up.
Buskers

Buskers are welcome but we request you register with us to confirm placements, as this is an organised event.
Traders

Stall spaces are still available for Craft traders, sorry we are full for Food stalls. Click for Application form

Christmas at Paignton Zoo

Visit Paignton Zoo this Christmas for a magical experience!

Visit Paignton Zoo this Christmas for a magical experience!

Meet Santa in his magical cabin and receive a great present.
Hop aboard the Christmas train* to spot the hidden elves
Take the snowball throwing challenge in the Jungle Fun play area.
Indulge in festive food and drink at our Island Restaurant**
Pick up some chocolate coins and magical reindeer dust as you leave, but
only available for children who have booked to meet Santa.

Tickets: £9.50 per child (normal Zoo admission prices apply)

*The train will not run in severe weather conditions.

**Not included in £9.50 price.

For just £9.50 children will receive:
A Santa meet and greet with present
Chocolate coins and reindeer dust to take home
Christmas train ride for one child and one adult
When can I meet Santa?

Every day from Saturday 16th – Sunday 24th December
You can meet Santa at the following times:

10.30 a.m. 12.00 noon 2.00 p.m.

How much does it cost?

Children (up to 15 years): £9.50

*Please note: This price does NOT include entry to the Zoo. Non-members must pay for day tickets upon arrival, to save time you can buy online at www.paigntonzoo.org.uk.

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL

Tickets will be sold in 5 minute time slots to keep queuing times down.
Please do not arrive earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
A maximum of 6 children per time slot will apply.
Please note: No refunds will be given once a booking has been received.

Totnes Christmas Late Night Shopping – Totnes

The 2017 Christmas Shopping In Totnes will be held on the 5th, 12th and 19th of December. Now in its 6th year in its new format, the event has become safer and is the showcase event for Totnes High Street, we might be biased though! Come and enjoy a great evenings shopping supporting Totnes businesses and restaurants and you of course have the additional creative street traders to tempt you as well.

PARK AND RIDE provided by BOB THE BUS

Please remember the FREE (donations taken on board for Bob the Bus Charity) Park and Ride service is available from Follaton House 5:30 till 10 pm. Two buses will run every 15 minutes stopping at the Rotherfold and from 7pm also at the Seven Stars for both drop off and pick up.
Buskers

Buskers are welcome but we request you register with us to confirm placements, as this is an organised event.
Traders

Stall spaces are still available for Craft traders, sorry we are full for Food stalls. Click for Application form

Cinderella

As Christmas approached Baron Hardup looked dejected. “Where can I take my family to see the best value for money pantomime in Torbay and how can I afford it?” he said to himself.

Suddenly there was a flash of light and a beautiful Fairy Godmother appeared before him. “Go to the Palace Theatre in Paignton this Christmas and see everybody’s favourite pantomime Cinderella” she proclaimed. “The £45,000 production has a total cast of 40 with experienced principals, excellent dancers, babes and chorus together with a live five piece professional band. There is a very witty script for all your favourite Cinderella characters, lavish costumes, modern songs, sparkling dance routines and a special appearance of Bob the Bunny”.

Baron Hardup sighed. “Is all this going to cost me a lot of money?” he said. The Fairy Godmother laughed. “It will only cost the same as last year as all the seat prices have been held at 2016 prices with tickets starting at just £11. The pantomime runs from the 21st December 2017 to the 3rdJanuary 2018 and you can book by going to the Palace Theatre or telephoning 01803 665800.” Suddenly the Fairy Godmother looked thoughtful. “Last year over 4100 patrons saw the Paignton Pantomime Productions panto at the Palace and tickets will undoubtedly sell fast again this year so – DON’T DELAY – BOOK TODAY” and with another flash of light she was gone.

Baron Hardup smiled his first smile in ages, quickly reached for his mobile and tapped 01803 665800 or 522330

Dinosaur Easter Egg Hunt – Torquay’s Dinosaur World

Visit the only dinosaur exhibition in south Devon during the Easter holidays for the rooaarsome Dinosaur Easter Egg Hunt.

Be a brave explorer to get close and personal with the dinosaurs, and be a Palaeontologist to discover fascinating fossils and find out who has been stealing the dinosaur eggs. Use the clues to solve the mystery and win a special Easter Edition Dinosaur Expert Certificate, a selection of real 160 million-year- old fossils, and a chocolatey treat.

Plus, win a Dinosaur World T Shirt and a Dinosaur Goodie Bag full of toys, models and fossils with our Easter Card competition.

Come and see the world of dinosaurs brought to life. Whether you are a little dinosaur fan, or a big one, there’s something for everyone to their teeth into over the Easter holidays!

Only £6.95 per visitor plus get our Paleo Pass which gives FREE unlimited re-entry for 3 months and 1/2 price entry to Kents Cavern* during the Easter school holidays.

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY ~ Easter Fair

The South Devon Railway will be having an Easter Fair over the full Easter weekend of Friday 30th March and Monday 2nd April 2018.

As well as our heritage train service, with FOUR locomotives in operation on each day, be sure to visit the display at Buckfastleigh for a fascinating selection of heritage vehicles on display.

The Refreshment Rooms at Buckfastleigh are open for everything from a snack to a hot meal, and be sure to call in to the adjacent Gifts & Models shop and view the model railways.

A round trip ticket is valid for travel all day, on all our trains, so you can ride as many trains as much as you like! See if you can get a ride behind each of the four locomotives in operation today! Be sure to also take a ride on the heritage GWR auto trains which are in operation all day, including, for part of the day, the ‘auto sandwich’, where the locomotive will be sandwiched between two auto carriages! The views of the line from the front vestible are not to be missed!
To complement the trains, there will be a selection of vintage cars and motor bikes on display in our gardens at Buckfastleigh station.

Our red London Routemaster bus will also be running around Buckfastleigh and Ashburton as usual. For more information, see the Omnibus Timetable.